At a glance

The basics

Capetonians

Cape Town is a diverse city, incorporating a multitude of cultures, lifestyles, religions and ethnicities. You can’t put Capetonians in a box, but there are a few recognised traits you could look out for.

South Africans talk about the laid-back and relaxed atmosphere of Cape Town and its residents. This is usually in comparison to so-called “uptight” Johannesburgers. 

Capetonians love their food and good wine! Long, lazy lunches at open-air cafés, preferably with a sea view, are the Capetonians’ favourite way to while away afternoon hours.

Capetonians are also outdoor people, who enjoy fresh air and exercise. Hiking, biking, surfing, and jogging are all popular sporting activities.

The people of Cape Town are just as excited about the World Cup as you are, and we’re confident that you’ll experience a real South African welcome here in the Mother City.

Currency

The local currency is the South African rand, represented by a capital “R” before an amount, or “ZAR” after it.

Foreign exchange facilities are widely available and can be found at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town International Airport and at bureaux de change in major shopping centres. Automated teller machines (ATMs) accept most international bank and credit cards.

Credit cards: South Africa has a modern and sophisticated banking and commercial system, and most shops and hotels accept all major credit cards.

A local beer (500ml) should cost roughly R20 and bottled water about R12.

Tipping

A 10% tip is suggested in restaurants if you receive good service, and for great service a little bit extra is appreciated. In some restaurants, tables of over eight people can have an automatic service charge added to the bill.

Feel free to tip porters who help you in airports and hotels. A small tip per piece of luggage is standard. In some shopping areas, uniformed attendants will either take a fee or offer to mind your car for a tip. The same goes for informal car guards, but only tip after you return to your car and all is safe and well. In these cases small change like R2 or R5 is enough.

Weather

Cape Town, as a coastal city in the temperate band of the Southern Hemisphere, enjoys mild and sunny weather almost all year round.

The 2010 World Cup will take place in South Africa’s winter season, so packing a warm jersey or two is advisable. This is also the rainy season in Cape Town, so bring along an umbrella just to be safe.

The average temperature in Cape Town during winter is a mild 18.5°C (65°F).

Language

Afrikaans, a local language similar to Dutch, is the most commonly spoken in Cape Town, but English is probably the most commonly understood. Most signs and official communication are in English or English and Afrikaans side-by-side.

There are 11 official languages in South Africa. Yes, 11! Because of this, most people are bilingual or even trilingual, and happy to help you feel understood.

A fun local lingo has developed because of the multitude of languages, so even when someone is speaking English, their sentences may be peppered with strange words you don’t understand. We’re a friendly bunch, so if you’re not sure, just ask!

For some basic translations and slang explanations, see our Language page.

Health and safety

Like any major city, Cape Town has its safe and less safe areas. Ask Cape Town Tourism, your concierge or guesthouse owner for some tips on which areas to avoid.

In general, we advise tourists not to walk alone – especially after dark – and to stick to the major routes. Be extra vigilant when using an ATM and don’t ever accept help from a stranger while using them.

Don’t carry large sums of money and don’t leave your possessions unattended.

If hiking, surfing or walking, always carry plenty of water and make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return.

More advice and top tips are available here.

Flights to Cape Town

Cape Town International Airport is a busy, world-class airport, especially since the upgrades began in preparation for the soccer fan stampede anticipated in 2010.

International flights arrive daily from continental Africa, the UK, Europe, Asia and North America. You can catch direct flights to Cape Town from London, Frankfurt, Atlanta, and many other major cities. Some airlines offer a short connection through Johannesburg, which adds about two hours to your travel time.

Most international flights land first thing in the morning or in the early evening, but this is not a strict rule.

Once you arrive, private charters and metered taxis are available to take you to your next stop. Better yet, pop by the Cape Town Tourism information desk and let us take care of everything for you.

What to bring

Apart from your enthusiasm and national pride, there are a few things you shouldn’t leave behind when you come to Cape Town for the World Cup.

The World Cup will take place during South Africa’s winter – the rainy season in Cape Town – so don’t forget your umbrella. Cape Town’s winter weather is not without its warm, sunny days, though, so make sure you pack a sunhat and sun cream too.

Bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes as you are likely to be doing quite a lot of walking, seeing the sites around the Mother City between matches.

You could also bring a flag from your country to wave with pride during matches. Although there will be a whole lot of soccer merchandise on sale, you might want to bring your own just in case.

Above all, don’t forget your camera to capture fantastic memories as you are guaranteed to have the experience of a lifetime.

Lastly, make sure you leave some space in your luggage for all the mementos that you’ll be taking back from Cape Town. You know you’ll be fitting some shopping into your fun-filled soccer schedule – you’d be crazy not to!

Plugs

Most of South Africa uses a 220/240 volt alternating current (AC), and the sockets are either three-prong or two-prong configurations. The three-prong plugs have large round pins, and the two-prong plugs have smaller pins similar to the common European plugs.

You can buy a universal adapter, or specific South African adapter, in airports and good travel shops. Many hotels and guesthouses will even have these behind the desk for you to borrow, or the concierge should be able to help you buy one.

Because the voltage is likely to be different from your home, always use an appropriate adapter, even if it looks like your plugs will fit.

Cape Town taxis

The minibus taxi is a great, cheap way to get around Cape Town. The taxis run on mostly set routes, picking up and dropping off passengers anywhere. Don’t worry if you don’t appear to be at an actual stop – there aren’t any.

Taxis offer their passengers a really atmospheric experience, with sound systems you can hear a mile away, and lots of people from all walks of life seated next to each other, happy to discuss anything with you, including the latest soccer tactics.

Catching a taxi in Cape Town is simple. Stand at the side of the road, stick your right index finger into the air, and voila, a taxi will stop for you. All you need to do next is tell the conductor (usually the guy in the front passenger seat) where you want to go, and they’ll do the rest for you.

A trip won’t cost you more than R15 – an average single trip will be around R4. If you’re leaving from the city centre, you can leave from the main taxi rank, known as “The Deck”. If you’re not sure where it is, just ask a friendly local to point you in the right direction.

Some main routes:

• Green Point – Seapoint: This route goes through the city centre, but stops all along the way. Great for soccer fans who want to explore the area around the stadium. Look out for Green Point flea market, a great place for mementos and African curios.
• Adderley Street – Kloof Street – Long Street: This goes through the city centre’s main tourist hub and business district.
• Strand – Sea Point – Main Road: This route takes you out of the city centre to some lovely beaches and promenades.
• Wynberg – Mowbray – centre of town: This is a good route for those who want to see the main attractions in the city centre, but are staying further out in the southern suburbs.
• Wynberg – Claremont: This southern suburbs route goes along the main road in Wynberg to Claremont. Some attractions to look out for are Cavendish Square, Kirstenbosch botanical gardens and the Vineyard gallery.